Justice News

Reno Man Sentenced To A Total Of Over 16 Years In Prison For Possession With Intent To Distribute Methamphetamine After High-Speed Police Chase

RENO, Nev. – A wanted fugitive who shot at law enforcement during a high-speed chase through the northeast Reno area was sentenced today to 175 months in federal prison, announced U.S. Attorney Dayle Elieson for the District of Nevada.

Eugene Enrique Corona, 35, of Reno, pleaded guilty in November 2017, to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. Corona was a wanted fugitive for violation of his supervised release. In addition, he received a 24 month prison sentence to run consecutive to today’s sentence term for revocation on his supervised release violation.

According to the plea agreement, on January 18, 2017, a Washoe County Sheriff’s Office K9 unit attempted to stop Corona’s vehicle. However, he sped away, drove through a stop sign and a red traffic light, and almost caused two separate accidents — one at Wedekind Road and Sullivan Lane and the second at Wedekind Road and El Rancho Drive. During the pursuit, Corona fired a shot at law enforcement following him, then threw the firearm out of the driver’s side window. Corona lost control of his truck and crashed into the front yard of a residence on the corner of Montello Street and Wilder Street. He attempted to flee the scene on foot, but law enforcement was able to apprehend him. They recovered a Taurus 5 shot revolver near Wedekind Road and El Rancho Drive. Inside Corona’s truck, deputies found two clear bags with approximately 60 grams of methamphetamine and a digital scale.

The case was investigated by the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, U.S. Marshals Service, and the DEA. Assistant U.S. Attorney Megan Rachow prosecuted the case.